SINGAPORE: The Workers' Party (WP) looks set to contest in Jalan Kayu SMC for Singapore's May 3 General Election, after the Red Dot United (RDU) party announced on Tuesday (Apr 22) that it was stepping aside.

In a statement sent to the media, RDU's secretary-general Ravi Philemon said his party had been in talks with WP leadership about the single-seat ward.

"During those exchanges, they expressed interest in contesting Jalan Kayu. As discussions progressed, it became clear they intended to field a candidate there. They requested for Jalan Kayu," he said.    "After careful deliberation—both with the WP leadership and within our own election committee—we have made the difficult decision not to contest in this constituency. This decision was made with one guiding principle: to act in the best interest of the residents of Jalan Kayu, the best interest of Singapore citizens." 

WP has been active in outreach efforts in Jalan Kayu SMC, amid intensifying buzz around a potential showdown with the ruling People's Action Party's potential candidate Ng Chee Meng. 

A source close to WP also told CNA earlier that the opposition party was likely to contest in the single-seat ward in the upcoming General Election.

Residents living in the newly carved out constituency northeast of Singapore have also seen WP in the area recently, with some receiving flyers handed out by volunteers. 

At least one resident said he recognised Dr Ong Lue Ping from the Institute of Mental Health as one of the WP members who have been doing walkabouts. 

News outlet 8world also recently reported that WP volunteers were seen distributing pamphlets shortly after PAP's announcement that labour chief Mr Ng would be contesting in Jalan Kayu SMC. 

The former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office was part of the PAP slate that lost Sengkang GRC to WP in GE2020.

The WP has so far kept silent on where it would contest, though it has revealed 14 new potential candidates in its lineup.

But contesting in Jalan Kayu SMC would be consistent with the party's focus on northeastern parts of Singapore. 

CNA has contacted the party for comment. 

The People's Power Party under longtime opposition politician Goh Meng Seng has also indicated interest in contesting Jalan Kayu SMC, but has yet to confirm a potential candidate.

With 29,565 voters, Jalan Kayu SMC comprises districts that were under Ang Mo Kio GRC in GE2020.

These were carved out after recent changes to electoral boundaries. 

WP's presence in Jalan Kayu SMC has been noted since the election was called on Apr 15, with residents describing how the party has going door-to-door in housing blocks and handing out brochures.

These pamphlets, seen by CNA, contain the party's aim to win one-third of the seats in parliament in the medium-term; key proposals from its manifesto; and the faces of WP's central executive committee. 

Several residents who had received the flyers could not identify the specific party individuals they had interacted with.

But many were certain they had not seen WP's senior leaders such as secretary-general Pritam Singh or chair Sylvia Lim.

Resident Samsudin Abdullah, 84, told CNA that three individuals from WP knocked on his door one evening last week to hand him the pamphlet. 

The trio appeared to confirm that the WP was running in Jalan Kayu SMC, said the retiree, who lives in a block at Sengkang West Way.

"But I asked which candidate they were going to field in Jalan Kayu and they said it is confidential. They did not tell me."